2011 was a great wine year for me.  I traveled to British Columbia, Napa Valley and South Africa.  I drank amazing wine and met amazing people.  The following list represents the best wines I actually experienced.  I believe that to actually experience a wine, one must drink more than just a small sample.  The entire bottle must be sampled, although not all at one sitting!

2004 Beaulieu Vineyard George de Latour

Best drink now wine: Beaulieu Vineyard 2004 Georges de Latour, Cabernet.

Best buy and hold: Ridge Vineyards 2007 Monte Bello

Best Red (not already on the list) Robert Craig Winery 2008 Spring Mountain Cabernet

Best White: Page Springs Cellars 2010 Mourvedre, Colibri Vineyards

Best Wine under $20: Cameron Hughes Lot 287, Napa valley Cabernet

Honorable Mentions:  Cameron Hughes Lot 300 2009 Napa Cabernet, Cameron Hughes Lot 303 2009 Stag’s Leap Cabernet, Robert Craig 2008 Howell Mountain cabernet, Caduceus Cellars Anubis 2009 Cabernet, Clos L’Eglise 2006 Reserve Pomerol, Ladera Vineyards 2006 Howell Mountain Cabernet

Zu Zu Tapas, Napa.

Best Wine Bar: Zu Zu Tapas, Napa Valley